Sure, we get that things pop up. Just call our friendly team on 1300 655 661 and we’ll happily reschedule your booking.

There's no fee to reschedule your booking, however, if you’ve prepaid upfront on credit card, PayPal or ZipPay and wish to cancel your booking altogether, you will be refunded the original booking fee paid, minus a $20 cancellation fee.

Should you fail to show up at the time and place arranged with the Workshop without canceling in advance, you will forfeit the entire prepaid amount.

Some of our workshops do offer a loan car and/or a drop off/pick up service (up to 5km from the workshop).

If the workshop is a Preferred Partner, these extras will be listed on the right hand side, underneath their pricing.

If the workshop is not a Preferred Partner, click the ‘Book Now’ button and then click the ‘Add a Roadworthy, Pink Slip or other common tasks’ text underneath the inclusions box at the top of the page.

Any additional services offered by the workshop will be included in this section.

The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) states that any certified mechanical workshop or mobile mechanic is indeed qualified to carry out logbook servicing as per manufacturer’s specifications, without voiding your New Car Warranty.

Our mechanics are able to carry out logbook servicing, according to the manufacturer’s specifications, using quality parts and lubricants.

The mechanic will sign off each item and stamp your logbook once all tasks are completed and your warranty will remain intact.

You sure can! Simply hit the “Repair” button under the ‘Great, what can we quote you for?’ section of the form and a bunch of common repairs tasks will come up automatically for you to select.

You can also type your specific repair issue into the blank search box and our system will bring up any related tasks.

If your particular repair or inspection task isn’t listed under the common items tabs, click the ‘No match? Add comment’ button and type your issue in the “Describe what you need” box at the bottom of the section.

Should you have more than one repair or inspection task to quote, you can add more tasks by clicking the +Repair or +Inspection tabs.

1. Pay upfront using your credit card or PayPal;2. Create a reusable, interest-free ZipPay account to pay now and make easy weekly or monthly payments over time; or3. Pay the workshop once your car service and/or repairs have been completed.

Categories

What are Timing Belts and Why do They Cost so Much?

By Rachel White on Friday, 24 February 2017

Somewhere around each 40,000 to 150,000 kilometres – it varies from model to model – servicing your car gets to be a big pain in the wallet. And often the extra expense is all down to a crucial part of the engine called the timing belt.

To avoid you coming to a halt in the middle of the road, because of a banging, crash of pistons and valves fighting with each other, let’s investigate what the timing belt is, what it does, and why it costs so much to replace or repair.

Price shock

Have you just received a quote for a car service and wondered why you will have to pull out the plastic to pay for it? It’s probably an indication that the service you’re having done includes the replacement of your timing belt, or timing chain (different names, but they do the same job… more on that later).

A timing belt is one of the more expensive and intensive services your vehicle will go through, second only to the non-service task of replacing or reconditioning the engine. Which is what you might well be doing in the future if you don’t replace the timing belt when recommended!

If you avoid doing this service and the belt or chain stretches, deteriorates, or breaks, it will more than likely cost you an engine without any warning. So the cost of attending to the timing belt is well worth it in the long run.

What does the timing belt do?

Unless you have gears directly driving your camshaft, as part of an internal combustion engine you will have either a timing belt or timing chain performing that task. The belt or chain synchronises the crankshaft’s rotation with the engine valves, allowing them to open and close at the correct times during the air intake and exhaust stroke.

Timing belt or timing chain?

A timing belt is usually a toothed belt, and a timing chain is a roller chain. A timing belt has in recent history been the more commonly used part, but car makers are using a timing chain more often these days, as they find them to be more durable than belts.

In modern engines manufacturers recommend replacing the timing belt from between every 40,000 – 150,000 kilometres, depending on the engine. If you only use your car now and again and don’t do many kilometres, you will still need to have the belt/chain replaced based on the age of the vehicle. Timing belts/chains can deteriorate and/or stretch over time.

Why does it take so long to fix?

You won’t want to hang around and wait while they do this service. All vehicle types are different, but allow at least 3 to 8 hours for this service, all going well. To fix the timing belt the mechanic has to:

Possible extra costs

Whilst the mechanic is pulling the front of your engine apart they will probably recommend you replace your water pump and coolant at the same. Given the age/mileage of the vehicle, the possibility of the water pump failing not long afterwards is higher, and with this usually being a highly labour-intensive job, doing both while you have the engine pulled down, replacing the belt and the pump it’s the smart thing to do. Pretty much the only additional cost you’re incurring is the price of the water pump, rather than paying for the labour twice.

The mechanic may also need to replace hydraulic tensions as part of a kit, instead of just the belt. It is best to lock in and fix a timing belt service prior to it getting done as this service has the ability to take longer than expected. So put your mind at ease by fixing the price before they commence.

Mechanic selection

Most mechanics can get the job done without any concerns, but there are some questions you may like answered before you select the mechanic:

Does the mechanic have the required tools to get the job done?

Is the mechanic experienced?

Have they replaced the timing belt on your type of vehicle before?

Will they allocate enough time to do this service, or will they be rushed to get it done?

It’s a must-do to plan ahead, to budget for a high-price service, and, importantly, allow the mechanic the time required to do a great job. Expect to be without your car for at least a day during this type of service.

Now, imagine a seamless segue here…

Right.AutoGuru lets you search, compare and book from over 1600 qualified mechanics across Australia. Boom!